Plugged In: the energy news podcast

A poisoning scandal surrounding Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has threatened to derail the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, now only kilometres away from the German mainland.This week’s pod discusses the likelihood of a cancellation and the potential impact on Europe’s gas markets.Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Hanns Koenig, Head of Commissioned Projects, Central Europe, Aurora Energy Research, Nathan Witkop, Reporter, Montel. 

Poland may be one of the last bastions of coal plants in Europe, but the country is currently experiencing massive growth in rooftop solar panels. This week’s pod discusses the country’s exit from coal and the prospect of replacing the dirty fuel with gas and renewables. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Joanna Mackowiak-Pandera, CEO of Forum Energii. 

Ample supply, full inventories and subdued demand are likely to pressure oil prices well into 2021, says Rystad Energy’s Paola Rodriguez-Masiu. Listen to this week’s pod discuss a potential return pre-Coronavirus market conditions and what the new “normal” will look like, since changing consumer habits, increased electrification and a reduction in commuter and air travel in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic could actually accelerate the demise of oil. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guest: Paola Rodriguez-Masiu, senior analyst, Rystad Energy. 

Nordic power prices have languished near historically low levels amid a combination of extreme factors, notably an abundance of hydropower supply, and limitations in interconnector capacity and nuclear supply. In this week’s pod, experts discuss the outlook for prices going forward and whether 2020 will be a one-off or if market participants should brace themselves for more of the unexpected. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guests: Eylert Ellefsen, senior analyst, EQ, Tor Reier Lilleholt, head of analysis, Wattsight. 

This week’s pod focuses on the carbon market and, in particular, the reasons behind the price spike in mid-July. Was it due to the closing of a speculative position that went rogue, or were other fundamental factors at play? Tune in for a discussion on the outlook for prices going forward, the potential impact of the EU green deal and the UK ETS post Brexit. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Louis Redshaw, founder and CEO Redshaw Advisors, Alessandro Vitelli, Carbon Reporter. 

In the first pod after the summer break, we welcome back Wayne Bryan and discuss the outlook for gas prices amid waning demand, ample supply, healthy storage and geopolitical tensions. Is the current rally in European gas prices sustainable, or will market fundamentals limit the gains amid a potential second wave of Covid-19? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Wayne Bryan, director EU gas research, Refinitiv. 

Iceland is starting to position itself as a producer and exporter of “green” hydrogen. Listen to a discussion on the potential for the island nation to export the clean fuel, expand wind power and on the difficulties currently faced by large industrial energy users. Host: Snjolfur Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Hordur Arnarson, CEO Landsvirkjun.  

For this week's pod, Montel journalists review the key energy market developments in the first six months of the year, and provide an outlook for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. What will happen to prices, will demand recover and are markets prepared for a second wave? Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel. Guests: Olav Vilnes, Chief Editor Nordics, Montel, Chris Eales, Editor France, Montel, Andres Cala, Editor Iberia, Montel, Christian Driessen, Editor Germany, Montel. 

Europe’s TSOs will remain vigilant over the months to come in order to keep the lights on and the power system secure amid unprecedented falls in demand as well as growing output from renewables. Listen to a discussion on digitalisation, accelerating the permitting process and the complicated but necessary task of incorporating decentralised, distributed energy. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Pascale  Fonck, Vice Chair of the Board, Entso-E and Chief Officer External Relations, Elia. 

All market participants should work together to ensure the electricity system works efficiently and stays afloat, says Auke Lont. This week’s pod discusses low prices, key interconnectors, bidding zones and the importance of maintaining transparent, liquid wholesale energy markets. Host: Richard Sverrisson, Editor-in-Chief Europe, Montel, Guest: Auke Lont, CEO, Statnett.